Saraki, Dogara under fire over impeachment threat

Some members of the House of Representatives, Bashir Baballe and Abubakar Chika, have condemned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara for leading the move to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly at a joint session, threatened to invoke its powers against the President, if nothing was done to end the ongoing killings in the country, kidnappings, humiliation of perceived political opponents of the president among other reasons.

Reacting, Bashir Baballe, who represents Ungogo/Minjibir Federal Constituency, Kano, wondered why the lawmakers never found it expedient to call for joint session until after security details of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House were partially withdrawn.

“It is baffling that when people are killed in different parts of the country, the leaders of the National Assembly did not deem it right to call for the joint session until when the security details of Saraki and Dogara were withdrawn a couple of days ago”, he told Daily Nigerian.

“The last time joint session was held was when the Senate chamber was intruded by thugs. No joint session was convened when communities were intruded and people killed by gunmen.

“They simply convened the session because they have some sinister motives.

“On the issue of humiliation, I will say that ‘he comes to equity must come with clean hands’. What was the crime of Senator Ali Ndume and Rep Abdulmumin Jibrin that they were humiliated and suspended by the leadership of the Senate and House?”

Baballe, who is the vice chairman of the House Committee on National Planning, said he raised the issue of insecurity three times on the floor of the House, advising the principal officers of the House to go and meet the president.

“Why didn’t they consider it appropriate to meet the president over insecurity in the country in the past?” Baballe asked.

The lawmaker also faulted the National Assembly’s resolution on the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption, urging his colleagues facing investigations should clear their names.

“If you are accused of corruption, go and clear your name and stop the blame game,” he added.

Simikary, Abubakar Chika, who represents Shiroro/Rafi/Munya Federal Constituency, said the National Assembly should stop crying foul and wake to its responsibility.

He faulted passing vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, saying members opposed the move when it was raised in the House.